VMBS closes external ABMs, waives fees for cardholders
The VM Building Society (VMBS) has announced that all of its ABMs that are not located inside a VM branch will be closed as of 9 pm Friday until further notice. Its ABMs that are located inside VMBS branches will be available during normal business hours, as of Monday, November 13, 2023.
VMBS noted that the closure is due to an increase in the detection of attempts to compromise its ABM network and for the protection of its members. The Building Society noted that its members can continue to use their VM Express 24 debit cards at point-of-sale facilities and the more than 800 non-VMBS ABMs on the MultiLink network. All card fees for transactions done using these channels will be waived during this period.
“Closing our ABMs was not an easy decision, because we know our members depend on them. We must, however, ensure the safety of our members’ information and their investments so, for their protection, we have had to implement this temporary closure,” said Paul Elliott, chief executive officer of VMBS.
Elliott advised that the Society’s members would be advised when the ABMs are to be reopened.
VMBS is also reminding its members to stay vigilant when using any ABM and to use one hand to cover the other when entering their PINs into the machines.